Pennsylvania's lawsuit against NCAA actually may help the latter's image

In what seemed a decent position in July to challenge the NCAA's sweeping penalties against it, Penn State decided it was best just to move on from the sexual abuse scandal that had entangled the school since November 2010.
Six months later, the state of Pennsylvania bizarrely has sued the NCAA, seeking an injunction against those penalties, which included lost scholarships and a $60 million fine. The state's reasoning: The penalties hurt Pennsylvania businesses.
As the NCAA responded on Wednesday, “We are disappointed by the Governor's action today. Not only does this forthcoming lawsuit appear to be without merit, it is an affront to all of the victims in this tragedy — lives that were destroyed by the criminal actions of Jerry Sandusky.”
The decision to let the ruling go and move on probably was the right decision by the school at the time, so what does this lawsuit now accomplish? After the season, the full effect on Penn State's attendance and around State College was felt, declining attendance being the most marked outcome.
But, and I'm spitballing here: Is this Bill O'Brien-related? The coach is on many NFL teams' lists; if the state somehow can get penalties revoked or lessened, does that make it more attractive for O'Brien to stay? That's a guess, of course, and would be a heck of an approach given the NCAA's ruling that Penn State already had nurtured a football-first culture. (And it should be noted again, Penn State is not suing, the state is.)
I, of course, argued in July that the NCAA shouldn't have punished the school, that this was a criminal and civil matter. But arguing that now? Why not then?
Bizarre choice by the state.

Haslam's harmless!

Toledo Blade columnist Dave Hackenberg says a claim that Jimmy Haslam's impatience might scare off potential coaches is preposterous.
Haslam and new CEO Joe Banner made it clear they would hire a coach first, stating that he would be the face of the franchise and the person with the greatest power. Banner agreed that would limit the pool of GM candidates. So be it.
After all, wasn't it backwards having a bigger-than-life Holmgren behind the scenes in the front office and an unproven Shurmur front and center on the sidelines?
Given that, I expect Haslam, who has some history as a minority partner in Pittsburgh, to make a hard charge for Bill Cowher, or go to college to find out if there's any wanderlust left in Nick Saban or if Chip Kelly's offensive acumen might translate to the pro ranks. Regardless, when the new coach is introduced you'll recognize the name.
A lot of teams are seeking coaches and hoping to make similar splashes, but Cleveland remains an attractive job because there are only 32 of them and because Haslam's millions will spend as well as anybody else's.
NFL coaches know they have but one job; win games.
A no-nonsense owner who finally is as impatient as his loyal fan base won't scare anybody off.

Plenty o' good seats

Jon Solomon of The Birmingham News, a bit of a mad scientist when it comes to college football bowl game attendance, noted on Twitter last night that the “Sugar Bowl's announced crowd of 54,178 is the game's worst since 1939 and smallest ever for a BCS bowl.” And that “Some bowls with larger announced crowds than Sugar: Outback, Music City, Holiday, Capital One. New Orleans only 5,350 behind Sugar.”
Whew.

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